Tag Archives: Art Alternatives

Notebook Rescue

Do you ever feel like there is a sad and lonely notebook and you might be its only savior? If so, you’re not alone in your desire to do a notebook rescue! I recently performed a selfless, heroic act of notebook rescue. I went back to Jerry’s to see if they had any more of … Continue reading Notebook Rescue

Pen & Ink Sketchbook: Then & Now Review

This look at the Pen & Ink Sketchbook is the 2nd post in my “Then and Now” series, examining various notebook brands that have been around for a while to see how they’ve changed. (See my “then and now” post about the Rhodia Webnotebook). I am always griping about how Moleskine’s notebooks have declined in … Continue reading Pen & Ink Sketchbook: Then & Now Review

Is Moleskine Discontinuing the Pocket Sketchbook???

I was looking through Moleskine’s Fall 2019 catalog and noticed something I found quite shocking: it seems that Moleskine is discontinuing the pocket sketchbook. “While stocks last“?? Meaning there won’t be any more stock of the classic black pocket size Moleskine Sketchbook? (Or any other color in pocket size.) They have a bazillion products and … Continue reading Is Moleskine Discontinuing the Pocket Sketchbook???

Art Alternatives Pen & Ink Sketchbooks: They’ve Changed!

I have mentioned the Pen & Ink Sketchbooks from Art Alternatives many times on this blog. Their pocket size sketchbook with the heavyweight paper is the closest alternative I’ve found to a Moleskine Sketchbook, for those who prefer creamy smooth paper, as opposed to the brighter white, toothier paper found in many other competitors’ pocket … Continue reading Art Alternatives Pen & Ink Sketchbooks: They’ve Changed!

Moleskine Monday: Sketch Album Review

I’ve had this Moleskine Sketch Album for quite a while and haven’t gotten around to reviewing it, mainly because I knew I’d probably be disappointed! Moleskine’s quality has been waning for years, and though their regular sketchbooks have been my favorite notebooks for a very long time, I’ve refused to buy any of the currently … Continue reading Moleskine Monday: Sketch Album Review

Review: Watercolor Sketchbook Comparison

I’m often dabbling with watercolors in sketchbooks that aren’t really made for using them– regular notebook or sketchbook paper can deteriorate a bit with wet paints, or wrinkle and buckle a lot as it dries. So I’ve been experimenting more with using actual watercolor paper in hopes of better results. I’ve had various watercolor pads … Continue reading Review: Watercolor Sketchbook Comparison

Review: Pen & Ink Squared Notebook

I’ve reviewed and mentioned the Pen & Ink brand sketchbooks several times on this site (see here, here, here, and here.) They are the closest substitute for a Moleskine sketchbook with the heavy-weight card stock paper, and they’re affordable and well-made. But I’ve never reviewed their other notebooks with standard weight paper. Squared notebooks are … Continue reading Review: Pen & Ink Squared Notebook

What I’m Using Now (and Recently)

A reader asked for more details about the notebooks in my “What I’m Using Now” photo. I haven’t been updating that photo as often as I should, though for the most part, it’s still accurate most of the time. The red and blue notebooks are HandBook Artist Journals that I have been slowly filling with … Continue reading What I’m Using Now (and Recently)

Followup on Giant Sketchbook and Tiny Notebook

For those who were wondering about the very large and very small notebooks featured recently in readers’ collections, here you go! The humongous sketchbook is available at Amazon here: Sketches in the Making Giant Hardcover Sketch Book and was previously available at Blick  with the image and description below (the dust jacket is removable, with … Continue reading Followup on Giant Sketchbook and Tiny Notebook